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Where to See the Solar Eclipse on Monday

On Monday, Aug. 21, a total solar eclipse will be visible in parts of the United States for the first time since 1979.

In celebration, the Adler Planetarium in Chicago is throwing a giant block party, inviting guests to experience the event together and offering free general admission.

Chicago Eclipse Fest will run from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday on the Planetarium grounds and in the adjacent parking lot. Guests can enjoy live entertainment, hands-on science for all ages, local programming and food trucks. Everyone will receive free solar viewing glasses.

At 11:54 a.m. in Chicago, the moon will start to block the view of the sun, covering up to 87 percent of it by 1:19 p.m., before it starts to regress, says Annie Vedder, the Planetarium’s curator of experience. The eclipse will be over by 2:22 p.m.

Because the sun is still so bright, it won’t appear different to the naked eye, she says. The best and safest way to observe the partial solar eclipse is by wearing a pair of solar eclipse glasses.

“Wearing glasses, you’ll really be able to take in an amazing sight in the city,” she says. “You’ll observe the moon appearing to eat away at the sun.”

You can also make your own pinhole projector, or use something like a Ritz cracker, lining up a tiny hole with the sun to view, she says. Directions for how to make homemade projectors can be found at the Planetarium’s website, adlerplanetarium.org.

In other parts of the country, people in the path of totality — when the moon will block the sun completely, extending from Oregon to southern Illinois to South Carolina — will be able to see totally darkened skies in the middle of the day. The last time Chicago was this close to the path of totality was 92 years ago, Vedder says.

“It’s been since 1925 since a total solar eclipse has come this close to Chicago. And the rarity is mind-boggling, that we’ll have the ability to chase this down,” she says.

For those heading to the Planetarium Monday, plan time to explore the new exhibit “Chasing Eclipses.” Plus, don’t miss the live feed of the total solar eclipse from locations in the path of totality that will be shown in the immersive dome theater.

Other activities will include a live mad science show, Ask-an-Astronomer, eclipse trivia, design challenges, including solar car races and making pinhole projectors, solar science demonstrations, and sensory, light and shadow activities. Carnival entertainment includes a bounce house, giant Jenga, an obstacle course and a giant parachute.

For those who will be downtown at the time of the eclipse, the Planetarium is setting up a viewing area at Daley Plaza, 50 W. Washington St.

“The part I find really exciting is the accessibility of viewing the solar eclipse for most people in this country,” Vedder says.

The next solar eclipse comes in 2024.

“Hopefully, everyone is bitten by the bug to chase down totality,” she says. “We’ll be lucky in seven years to see 90 percent of totality.”

But it won’t be until 2099 that full totality will be visible for residents on the north side of Chicago, who will experience total darkness in the middle of the day, she says. “It’s the only time it’s safe to look at the sun, when the moon totally blocks it out,” she says. “It’s a very dramatic few minutes.”

Along with the darkness, the temperatures drop and animal behaviors change.

“You may be able to see stars,” Vedder says. “If you didn’t know what was happening, and all of a sudden this hit, you’d be pretty confused. I do think about our ancestors who may not have had the same knowledge we do now and what this experience may have meant to them.”

Where to see the eclipse locally

Daley Plaza: Loop viewers can visit with Alder Planetarium staff, who will be on-site to hand out free solar glasses and answer questions at 50 W. Washington St.

Morton Arboretum: Take part in drop-in activities from noon to 2 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 20, and 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday, Aug. 21, at the Visitor Center, 4100 Route 53, Lisle. Learn about how and why an eclipse happens, and view the event with eclipse glasses. To learn more, visit mortonarb.org.

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